Singapore News
S'pore is ready for post-Lee Kuan Yew era, says MP Halimah Yacob
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 15 May 2011 1415 hrs
Madam Halimah Yacob
Photos 1 of 1
Madam Halimah Yacob
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament (MP) for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Mdm Halimah Yacob believes Singapore is ready for a post-Lee Kuan Yew era.
Speaking to reporters during a community event Saturday, Mdm Halimah said the move by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to leave their Cabinet positions was "not sudden".
The two leaders announced their decision in a joint statement Saturday, one week after the General Election.
Mdm Halimah, who is also the Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC, does not think the decision was made as a result of the election.
She said the event is a significant moment in Singapore's history and the country has been in the preparatory stage for years.
Mdm Halimah said: "This is not an abrupt movement of our two very senior leaders. It has been over a number of years already. MM himself has said many times that he was not in control.
"But then it shows also a Prime Minister who's very confident, a Prime Minister who wants to have his own stamp on the way he steers his Cabinet and on the way he steers the direction of Singapore."
Mdm Halimah said that even with Mr Lee and Mr Goh leaving their posts, it's not a loss for Singapore.
She believes both men will continue to play an advisory role for the government.
"Because MM is someone who's so passionate about Singapore. Singapore is him and he is Singapore. I'm sure that his expertise, knowledge and capabilities will continue to be tapped.
"It's the same also for SM. SM has spent a lot of time cultivating, developing relationships, particularly with countries in the Middle East. So one should not equate the fact these two very senior leaders are no longer in the Cabinet with the fact that therefore they will be lost to Singapore."
Mr Lee and Mr Goh explained their decision to leave the Cabinet was to allow a completely younger team of ministers to engage a younger Singaporean generation.
They urge the interests of the older generation must always be kept in mind.
However, Madam Halimah admitted that ensuring the young remains connected with the older generation may not be easy.
"The young (are) very much influenced by the Internet (and) social media," said Mdm Halimah.
"We need to find a way to connect (with) the young," she added.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong didn't confirm that he would accept Mr Lee's and Mr Goh's resignation from the Government.
He said it's a "major event" and would like to take a couple of days to think before deciding.
PM Lee is expected to announce his new Cabinet line-up early next week.
- CNA/cc/ac
S'pore is ready for post-Lee Kuan Yew era, says MP Halimah Yacob
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 15 May 2011 1415 hrs
Madam Halimah Yacob
Photos 1 of 1
Madam Halimah Yacob
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament (MP) for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Mdm Halimah Yacob believes Singapore is ready for a post-Lee Kuan Yew era.
Speaking to reporters during a community event Saturday, Mdm Halimah said the move by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to leave their Cabinet positions was "not sudden".
The two leaders announced their decision in a joint statement Saturday, one week after the General Election.
Mdm Halimah, who is also the Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC, does not think the decision was made as a result of the election.
She said the event is a significant moment in Singapore's history and the country has been in the preparatory stage for years.
Mdm Halimah said: "This is not an abrupt movement of our two very senior leaders. It has been over a number of years already. MM himself has said many times that he was not in control.
"But then it shows also a Prime Minister who's very confident, a Prime Minister who wants to have his own stamp on the way he steers his Cabinet and on the way he steers the direction of Singapore."
Mdm Halimah said that even with Mr Lee and Mr Goh leaving their posts, it's not a loss for Singapore.
She believes both men will continue to play an advisory role for the government.
"Because MM is someone who's so passionate about Singapore. Singapore is him and he is Singapore. I'm sure that his expertise, knowledge and capabilities will continue to be tapped.
"It's the same also for SM. SM has spent a lot of time cultivating, developing relationships, particularly with countries in the Middle East. So one should not equate the fact these two very senior leaders are no longer in the Cabinet with the fact that therefore they will be lost to Singapore."
Mr Lee and Mr Goh explained their decision to leave the Cabinet was to allow a completely younger team of ministers to engage a younger Singaporean generation.
They urge the interests of the older generation must always be kept in mind.
However, Madam Halimah admitted that ensuring the young remains connected with the older generation may not be easy.
"The young (are) very much influenced by the Internet (and) social media," said Mdm Halimah.
"We need to find a way to connect (with) the young," she added.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong didn't confirm that he would accept Mr Lee's and Mr Goh's resignation from the Government.
He said it's a "major event" and would like to take a couple of days to think before deciding.
PM Lee is expected to announce his new Cabinet line-up early next week.
- CNA/cc/ac
